The fear of a possible third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and its complications for obese people led to an increase in the demand for bariatric or weight loss surgery at AIIMS, Delhi.
The past few weeks have seen a huge rush to undergo weight loss surgery as people fear that they are at great risk if they get infected with the corona.
“I have been trying to lose weight for a decade and for which I tried every possible way but nothing worked. I never thought of getting bariatric or weight loss surgery until I was diagnosed with COVID Didn’t get infected with -19 and I didn’t get my sugar, BP, high cholesterol etc. which was otherwise normal. And my obesity was the major concern and reason for all this according to the doctor. Eventually I had to proceed for this surgery. Motivated to escape,” said Deepika Sharma, a resident of Noida.
She weighed around 90 kg before the surgery and was afraid of complications. She further added, “What if I test positive for Covid again and with obesity, it can be life threatening for me. Thus, I was desperate to have bariatric surgery.” She also feels, had she not tested positive for corona, she would not have gone for this surgery. Now after surgery, he is more confident and his BP, Sugar, Cholesterol etc. Well under control.”
Dr Mehak, another 29-year-old patient from Meerut, had the same fears as Deepika and many other obese patients who had undergone surgery. She said, “Amidst the second wave of corona, I was worried because of my overweight and comorbidities. Meanwhile, we were hearing a lot of talk outside also about complications, which eventually led me to go for bariatric surgery and I I am very happy with the choice I made. My sugar, BP, thyroid are well under control.”
According to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, the last few weeks have seen a sudden increase in the rush of people to get their bariatric surgery done at AIIMS. “In the last three weeks, we have done 15 surgeries. Where, earlier, after consultation with us or otherwise, it always took a lot of time for patients to decide about surgery and many would never muster up the courage to do so. But, now, patients come to us prepared and want the surgery to be done immediately,” said DR Sandeep Agarwal, in-charge of bariatric or weight loss surgery at AIIMS.
He also said, “People are afraid that being overweight could put them at additional risk of developing complications if they contract COVID-19. It is helping to bust myths about bariatric surgery as well.”
read all Breaking News, breaking news And coronavirus news Here
.